The Aidan Project

#23 - America’s Great War (Part Two): Courage

One hundred years ago to the day
of this episode’s release, on 6 April 1917, President Woodrow
Wilson declared that the US was at war with Germany. This is part
two of a two-part series focusing on the role of the United States
of America in the Great War of 1914-1918. In part one, Dr. Paul
Dean explained the underlying tensions that led to war, the
ambitions of the Central Powers and The Entente, and the tragically
misplaced belief that it would all be over quickly. Part one
concluded on the eve of the momentous Declaration of War on
Germany. Part two surveys the path of the war following the US’s
official military intervention until the 11 November 1918
Armistice, but also beyond in wider political terms. What were
Wilson’s war aims? How did the US military perform? What overall
impact did the US have? And what is the legacy of ‘America’s
Forgotten War’? All judgements on the merits of the war aside, the
events of 1914-1918 must never be forgotten. It appears there is
much work to do to raise the Great War’s profile in the US. This is
the Aidan Project’s small contribution towards reinvigorating this
valuable historical memory. The series’ special guest, Dr.
Dean, is a former instructor at, and alumni of, Washington State
University, who is an expert on World War One and author of
‘Courage: Roy Blanchard's Journey in America's Forgotten War’. For
more information on Dr. Dean, please visit his web site atwww.paultdean.com.

About the Podcast

Aidan Coughlan's inquisitive podcast examines current events, history and culture. What is happening in the world and how do we make sense of it? Aidan, assisted by expert guests from around the globe, is on a quest to find out. Why not join him?